Life Sciences meet high-tech analysis

A ground-breaking label-free method for bioanalytical chemistry

The trend in bioanalytical chemistry seems to be moving away from labeled methods as these tend to disturb the natural activity of the biomolecules being investigated. By using label-free methods, you also slash ongoing costs as the analysis process is more simple. Also, label-free approaches not only provide you with quantification, you gather valuable data on the interdependent processes of biomolecules, which can be crucial when developing new pharmacological agents. The German company biametrics Marken und Rechte GmbH develops and protects the brand, know-how and rights of a unique family of products in the field of label-free biomolecular interaction analysis for the Life Science industry.

biametrics is a spin-off company set up by the Eberhard Karls University in Tübingen. The company was founded in May 2007 by three young scientists from a variety of backgrounds. To overcome their first hurdle, the scientists received support and supervision from Prof. Dr. Günter Gauglitz, who heads up the Optical Chemo- and Biosensors Steinbeis Transfer Center at the University of Tübingen. The set-up was ideal with the strong backing biametrics needed to launch its highly innovative products on the market. The young company is sponsored and managed by the Baden-Württemberg State “Young Innovators” program which also involves input from Steinbeis consultants.

The product family developed by biametrics spans three product lines:

versatile and extremely economical OEM detection units for one or a small number of measuring points for areas such as patient-related diagnostics

an analytical platform for high-density arrays of up to 750 measurement points, comparable in terms of detection limit and performance to existing one channel biosensors

a titrimetric plate-based HTS analysis system

Based on a method called reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS), the analysis equipment developed by biametrics is more straightforward and stable than systems available up to now, without compromising detection limits. RlfS is a particularly versatile, time-resolved label-free measurement technique. Compared to other, directly optic approaches, one particular advantage is temperature stability. As the only label-free direct optical measurement method, RIfS can be linked to electrophoresis for unraveling protein mixtures as well as mass spectrometry for subsequent structural analysis. By combining these methods even measurement techniques such as high-content screening can be used.

This biametrics technology is unique in a number of ways. The technology makes it possible to take time-resolved measurements of all sorts of biomolecular interdependencies, as well as to study living cells. Carrier materials can range from coated glass to plastics and other types of transparent materials.

As a result, this method is not restricted to layers of gold, particularly important with respect to experiments involving protein arrays, as proteins are often denaturated on gold surfaces. The technique is also particularly stable as it is not sensitive to temperature fluctuations. At the same time, this allows you to alter temperatures during measurements. Because the technique can be linked to electrophoresis, unraveling of protein mixtures and mass spectrometry (structural determination) a unique combination of techniques is possible which could open up new avenues especially in pharmaceutical development field. biametrics’ label-free HTS analysis platform can be used in many, very different Life Science applications. This makes searching through substance archives for potential pharmaceuticals much easier. All experiments can be conducted as freely scaleable high-density arrays or on a titrimetric plate-based platform.